ELISE Christie claimed two bronze medals in the fourth round of the ISU World Cup in Seoul

After breezing through the earlier rounds, and finishing first in both semi finals, the Scottish born skater, who lives and trains in Nottingham, raced her way to third place in the 500m and then repeated her success in 1,000m.

In the 1000m, Christie came in a split second behind Canada's Marianne St-Gelais in a time of 1 minute 33.45 seconds.

She finished just ahead of the current World Cup leader in the 1,000m distance, Shim Suk Hee of Korea.

Christie did equally as well in 500m, crossing the finish line just behind China's Fan Kexin and Korea's Jeon Ji-Soo, who took first and second respectively.

Russia's Sofia Prosvirnova finished fourth, after falling during the first lap.

GB Short Track Performance Director Stuart Horsepool said: "Elise battled through the earlier rounds in Seoul and her place in the finals was very much deserved.

"I was particularly impressed with her performance in the semi-finals, where she skated with grit and really showed us what she is capable of.

"She raced with much more confidence this weekend, which shows that sending her out to Asia to compete over the last two weekends has been worthwhile.

"Last weekend in Shanghai was tough for Elise, but she has come back this week and really proved herself."

The latest round of the World Cup competition proved more difficult for Nottingham-born Jack Whelbourne, after he received a penalty in the 1,500m semi-final, putting him in 20th place overall in that distance.

Horsepool added: "I'm not concerned that Jack didn't medal in Seoul, as he still achieved what he went out there to do, which was to gain more top level competition experience.

"He trained really hard going into the competition, but he's tired at the moment which has a big impact on racing ability as the skaters have to be sharp and alert at all times.

"We had a very small team out in Asia for World Cup 3 and 4 and they showed a lot of resilience to keep going.

"I expected them to skate better than they did in Shanghai, which they have done.

"The past two weeks of competition have been a valuable learning experience for Jack and Elise.

"After competing here, we can identify areas for them to work on to build on their performance for the remainder of the season."

AS the Notts County manager Shaun Derry made his way back down the players' tunnel, he almost had to duck under the countless verbal bullets being fired over his head.

Despicable and disgraceful were two of the printable criticisms of referee Scott Mathieson as Rochdale fans vented considerable anger at Garry Thompson's stoppage time goal being allowed to stand.

Despite two players being stood in offside positions, the goal was given to grant Notts a dramatic 2-2 draw and the subsequent abuse which came the officials' way was not for the faint of heart.

There was an ironic smile from Derry as he disappeared out of view because he knows exactly what it is like to drop points as a result of a debatable decision this season.

Indeed had he not been in the opposite dug-out, he might have shown some sympathy as part of the managers' union, but when it's a head-to-head duel you simply look after your own.

"I don't really care how upset they were about it if I am honest," was his pointed response when asked about the Rochdale fans' reaction to the late controversy.

"I was delighted because I only care about us.

"Emotions run high in the game and everybody shows it in various ways.

"There were times in the game when I was getting battered from the fans behind the dug-out.

"It's nice to be able to say 'I'm pleased with our goal'."

The late goal from Thompson ensured Notts protected their unbeaten away record in League One and they are the only team in the top four divisions which can boast such a statistic.

It is a phenomenal achievement, but it was in real danger of being blown apart by Keith Hill's Dale, who were literally seconds away from claiming a considerable scalp.

Indeed, a full page in Dale's matchday programme advertised Notts' unbeaten run in what appeared to be some kind of clever PR motivational tool.

If that was what was intended then it certainly did the trick, because after Mike Edwards had given Notts the lead, Dale fought back with vigour, energy and spirit.

Goals from Ian Henderson and Peter Vincenti put them in front following a quality second half performance, but Notts continued to graft and were eventually rewarded for their endeavour.

Derry was not happy with his side's own performance, but he said the equaliser epitomised the spirit of his team.

"We kept it alive," he said.

"We put our bodies in where it hurt and we were rewarded for it.

"But I didn't think we did that enough during the course of the game.

"We never really went into the danger areas where it burns you.

"That desire we have shown all season was lacking a little bit and we paid the consequences of that in the second half.

"But in that final passage of play, we kept going and we got the goal.

"We have to walk away from Rochdale delighted this unbeaten run is still going.

"The only reason it is is because we didn't chuck the towel in. Other sides may have felt sorry for themselves. We didn't and that epitomised what we are about."

Notts now just have to negotiate one away game to take their unbeaten record into 2015 with a tricky trip to Bradford on Sunday.

And Derry has quickly set his side the target of ending the calendar year with that proud run intact.

"Our best play has come away from home this year," he said.

"We have a game plan and we will look to keep the record going at Bradford."

HAYDEN Mullins hailed Notts County's character after they avoided losing their unbeaten away record in League One with a controversial 2-2 draw at Rochdale.

Garry Thompson's stoppage time equaliser rescued a point for the Magpies at Spotland where goals from Dale pair Matt Done and Peter Vincenti cancelled out Mike Edwards' classy opener.

Thompson's late strike was mired in controversy, however, given Dale boss Keith Hill claimed that two Notts players were in offside positions in the build-up to the goal.

Mullins, who returned to the side after a long injury lay-off, said he could not comment on the decision, but said the late goal was symptomatic of Notts refusing to give up the fight.

"It was a difficult game for us really because they are a good team," said the former West Ham and Crystal Palace star (pictured).

"Their front three worked really well and we had a bit of a game plan to deal with them.

"It was going well until the start of the second half when we conceded just 28 seconds into the restart.

"It went a bit wrong but credit to the boys because the character has been there all season. It could have been easy, with just a minute left, to accept the defeat.

"But for us to keep going and keep going right until the last minute shows what we are about and meant we earned ourselves a draw."

Mullins praised Thompson for his late heroics and he is now the club's top scorer with seven goals.

It is a fine return from the ex-Bradford City winger, who was shifted up front to help deal with a lack of strikers.

"Garry has done really well up front," he said. "In fact he's done really well all season."

IT is safe to say that where Michail Antonio is concerned confidence is hardly in short supply.

And the Nottingham Forest winger admits he would love to be able to spread some of that self-belief around the rest of the side.

Leeds' Sam Byram was the latest victim of the winger's blend of pure pace and power, as Antonio tormented the full-back for 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

It is those physical attributes that Antonio believes equip him to give the majority of rival players a tough time, every time he steps out onto the pitch.

And the former Sheffield Wednesday man believes Forest would be a much more dangerous side to face, if the rest of the squad shared the same confidence in their ability, with boss Stuart Pearce again lamenting the 'nervousness' he feels continues to permeate the Reds ranks.

"When I turn up at a game I always believe I am going to be better than the full-back I am up against. I have confidence in myself," said Antonio.

"I think to myself that nobody is going to be as quick as me and, if they are as quick as me, they are not going to be as strong as me.

"So I am happy to knock it past them knowing that, if they are as quick as me, I will be strong enough to hold them off and hopefully get some balls into the box.

"There are times where I have to take the ball inside, to have a shot. But I just hope that things continue to go my way.

"I am confident in myself, I feel as though I am performing to the best of my ability. If the boys feel nervous, it certainly doesn't show in training.

"But there are times on the pitch where players could take a risky pass, where they could take a chance – and they do not risk it.

"I am not about to name names, but there are times where I feel players could take a risk to look to put a ball in behind or make something happen with a final pass – and we go sideways or backwards instead.

"It is just one of those things where, when things are not going your way, you go back into yourself, you play safe because you do not want to give the ball away."

Even despite that occasional lack of confidence, beyond the lack of willingness to gamble with a risky pass, Forest did more than enough to deserve three points against Leeds United, following a performance in which they still carved out a good number of chances.

More significantly, instead of one goal, Matty Fryatt should have had three, after having two perfectly good efforts ruled out for incorrect offside decisions.

"I do not want to comment too much on what the referee decided to do, other than to say that, for me, they looked like they were onside," said Antonio.

"The performance merited a win, definitely. We created some good opportunities. But that is football, that is why it is exciting and that is why people come along to watch or pay to watch it at home.

"It is all part of the excitement. Matty is a quality player. He can come deep and get the ball, he has got good feet and he will get goals when he gets a run of games. Hopefully he can chip in.

"It is one of those things. I think it was a good overall performance. We had two disallowed goals which stopped us from getting the win, but what can you say? That is part of football; part of what makes the game exciting."

Antonio does have confidence that Forest's season can still have a positive outcome – and he feels they can cause a shock at high-flying Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

"Middlesbrough are doing well and they might look at us and think we are not having the best season ourselves, so far. Many people will believe that they will win, hands down," he said.

"But it will be good to go there with less pressure on us, because we can go there and play our own game.

"Overall, this was a good performance and we want to take that into Middlesbrough away.

"We managed to get the lead, but they got a penalty to get them back in it.

"It is one of those things, if we do not score more goals. We know we need to kick on and get more wins.

"Seven points is a big gap to overhaul, but the Championship is hard to predict. We could win three games in a row and close that gap. We could get straight back in there. We are not half way through yet. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves, concentrate on winning games."

Antonio finished the game with a huge lump above his left eye, following a clash of heads. But he even managed to retain a philosophical outlook about that.

"I am good, it is part of the game. It came from when Chris Burke crossed towards the far post and the ball was cleared off the line. I wouldn't mind having it, if the ball had found the back of the net… but it is just one of those things in football," he said.

More often than not, it is likely to be the opposition defenders who walk off the pitch feeling battered and bruised, after facing the winger.

LEEDS United boss Neil Redfearn felt his side deserved the good fortune they enjoyed at the City Ground, as two goals from Nottingham Forest's Matty Fryatt were wrongly chalked off.

The Yorkshire side walked away with a point from a 1-1 draw after the assistant referee made two poor offside decisions.

But Redfearn felt his struggling side were due a little luck, saying: "We deserved a bit of luck with the offside goals. We've been there plenty of times ourselves.

"I thought the players were excellent with the way we applied ourselves and competed and battled and fought.

"I thought we deserved to keep a clean sheet in the first half and the goal wasn't good from our point of view.

"But I thought the overall performance and the diligence and the way we went to a 4-4-2 to see out the game made it a really good away performance."

Leeds have one of the worst away records in the Championship, having collected only six points on the road this season – but Redfearn believes the wins will come if they keep performing with the same character.

"We have got it right at home and have picked up results and played well. But we were dogged, which was a good sign. What you will find is that eventually you will turn those draws into wins away from home," he said. "We came in at half-time and it was a positive spin as we had done well. We were upbeat and wanted to make sure we were on the front foot and positive in the second half and we did exactly that.

"It was a great run from Sam Byram to get brought down for the penalty and I was pleased for Billy Sharp.

"I thought he earned his penalty as he worked so hard for the team. Some of the saves from our keeper were out of the top drawer."

NOTTINGHAM Forest must find their nerve if they are to resurrect their promotion push over Christmas, warns boss Stuart Pearce.

Pearce's Reds were denied a deserved three points against Leeds United as two perfectly good Matty Fryatt goals were wrongly chalked off for offside at the City Ground.

But the manager still felt his side lacked confidence and composure against their struggling opponents, who escaped with a 1-1 draw.

And he has called on his players to shake off their nervousness and have faith in their ability, as they head into two tough games over the festive period, starting with a difficult trip to Middlesbrough on Boxing Day and followed by the visit of Birmingham City less than 48 hours later.

"I know the team have created chances and I know we have got three goals in the game. But there is a tinge of frustration that you can feel among the players and the fans," said Pearce.

"The players are in the dressing room, they are very disappointed that we have not won a game. We have to address that nervousness and frustration that is in our play.

"That is the missing ingredient that we need to solve at this moment in time.

"The endeavour of the players is commendable.

"We work harder than the opposition, we look stronger at the end of games than they do – we just need to be cuter in our play.

"The penalty came after we had possession in a fantastic position in their final third. We gave the ball away cheaply. It is little things like that which cost you dearly in professional football."

Following the dramatic scenes at Birmingham recently, when the fourth official intervened to award a penalty to the home side, Forest were hopeful fourth official Eddie Ilderton would do the same at the City Ground on Saturday, after a replay of Fryatt's second disallowed goal was shown on the big screens in the stadium.

The home fans were left incensed at seeing clear evidence that the decision was incorrect.

Ironically it is Forest who could find themselves in hot water as it is against Football League rules to show replay's of controversial incidents during games.

"We did speak to the fourth official, of course we did," said Pearce. "That came from the Birmingham game. After that, I felt I had a fair case to go to speak to the fourth official.

"I told the fourth official that they had got the decision wrong, in the first half. We also told the assistant referee as well and he said to me that it must have been very close.

"But then in the second half he got another one that was 'very close' wrong.

"They are professional people and I am sure they will go home and watch the game and be more disappointed than I am. Actually, I am not sure that is true."

Pearce admitted he felt bad for Fryatt in particular – but believes the striker can go on to fire plenty more goals for Forest this season.

"We hope he can. If he starts in front of Britt (Assombalonga), at any time, we hope that he will be as clinical in front of goal. Just as he was today," said Pearce, who made the bold decision to leave top scorer Britt Assombalonga on the bench.

"It is not about Britt, solely. I don't work like that as a manager. It is about the people I think have their tails up and are doing well for us.

"It is a level playing field at every club or organisation I work for. The people I feel are on form I will back and put in the team.

"Dexter (Blackstock) has done well and Matty has done well, that was the situation. And where Britt is concerned, we are dealing with a 22-year-old.

"He is a young boy who is learning his trade. He will keep improving, but he has to keep learning."

IF Stuart Pearce has demonstrated anything, it is that he is not afraid to make bold decisions.

There were plenty of raised eyebrows prior to kick-off against Leeds United, as the Nottingham Forest manager not only vastly altered his side's formation, but also chose to leave top scorer Britt Assombalonga on the bench.

There were only two changes to the personnel, with Jamie Paterson also relegated to a place among the substitutes, but there was a very different look to the team, with five players moved into new positions.

Eric Lichaj and Danny Fox were drafted into a three-man central defence alongside Kelvin Wilson, Jack Hunt and Michail Antonio were utilised as wing backs and Michael Mancienne was handed a defensive midfield role.

After a slow start, as Forest found their feet within their new approach, they produced a performance that should have earned them three points – and would have done if not for two goals that were disallowed in controversial fashion in the 1-1 draw, coupled with a flurry of fine saves from Macro Silvestri.

With Leeds favouring a narrow midfield diamond, Forest made the most of their attacking width – and Pearce says it is a formation Forest may utilise again in the future.

"We have used it during matches before, when the formation has got us back into matches and got us back on the front foot a little bit," said Pearce. "I think there are a lot of players in our ranks who work well in this formation; who suit that approach.

"Foxy enjoys playing inside and it gives us the opportunity to push Mancienne forward and give us more legs and bite in midfield.

"I think it is one we will look at, but whether we will take it to Middlesbrough or not, I am not sure. We felt that worked quite well, the 3-5-2 scenario. The boys took that on well, they worked hard on it during the week. Credit to them for that.

"The formation was with Leeds in mind, yes, because they play a tight diamond shape. They allow the opposition the freedom in wide positions."

An injury to Dexter Blackstock ensured Assombalonga got his chance before half-time.

"In regard to leaving Britt out of the side, it was nothing to do with the formation, because we played two strikers in the side. It was just a personnel judgement call from myself," said Pearce.

"We hope Dexter just has a nerve problem; we hope that it is not too serious. We could not take a change on that, following his injury problems.

"Dexter has done well and Matty has done well, that was the situation. And where Britt is concerned, we are dealing with a 22-year-old.

"He is a young boy who is learning his trade. He will keep improving, but he has to keep learning."

"Now we will do our same preparation, with an eye on Middlesbrough who are playing well. We will go up there trying to win the game, if we cannot do that, we will look to secure a point.

"We will go into the Middlesbrough game and pick the best side, without having one eye on the Birmingham game. Then we will see how we come out of the game and look at the recovery of the players, before the Birmingham game."

Goalscorer Matty Fryatt and Antonio stood out when it came to Forest's attacking threat.

But there was also a much improved display from Henri Lansbury, who looked to be back to something close to his best, in the centre of the pitch.

"He showed good energy and we got him in more advanced positions on the pitch and that is the trick for Henri, I think. With Mancienne behind him, it freed him up to get forward," said Pearce.

"Sometimes with Henri he gets caught between wanting to get on the ball and dropping too deep to do so, which robs him of that ability to get around the edge of the opposition box, where he can get efforts on goal away.

"That is where I feel he can be at his best."

While Pearce felt his side had done enough to merit a win, he also knows they are capable of better.

"I am very disappointed. We created chances but we are our own biggest enemy. Their goal came from our counter attack, when we gave a cheap ball away and, the next minute, we were giving away a sloppy penalty," he said. "We feel that, at the moment, the opposition have not got to work too hard to get rewards in the game, which is frustrating.

"I believe it was a penalty, yes. I think we should have defended better, to be honest with you. We are struggling to build that momentum, but that momentum will come when we put to bed that little bit of nervousness that we have about our play.

"We need to show a little more composure on the ball, we need to show a little more character on the ball. Once we have that, we know we have good athletes and good footballers in the side. We know we are playing under par at this moment in time."

WHAT a great 3-1 win it was for Nottingham Forest over Leeds. Oh, wait a minute.

Thanks to a bungling linesman the Reds had to settle for a 1-1 draw, Matty Fryatt had to make do with one goal rather than a hat-trick, after having two perfectly good goals chalked off for offside.

Even the referees' assistants look like they need assistance to make the right decisions nowadays!

I don't think it would be a bad idea for fourth officials to be able to view video replays of goal incidents to make sure mistakes like the ones we saw at the City Ground don't happen.

I know some of them struggle to get the right number on those electronic boards when they're called upon to oversee substitutions, but it would be easy for them to see if a goal is a goal or if it is offside and tell the referee.

And Forest certainly don't need reminding how some fourth officials like to get in on the action.

I also don't think Leeds should have given a penalty in the in the second half that Billy Sharp converted.

Danny Fox was a bit silly to stick a leg out in the box, but I don't think he made contact with Sam Byram, who went down.

Bad decisions, ones that cost you victories, are the last thing the Reds and boss Stuart Pearce need right now as well.

A victory would have lifted them closer to the top six, but instead they are seven points adrift of the play-offs and 11 behind leaders Bournemouth ahead of a tough-looking trip to Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

A draw just puts a bit more pressure on Pearce and his players.

NOTTINGHAM Panthers have left enough people scratching their heads this season to spark concerns of an outbreak of head lice in the National Ice Centre.

Veering from one end of the scale to the other, it is tough to say just how good they really are, particularly when it comes to home form.

It is certainly hard to fathom how a team can decimate Elite League leaders Sheffield Steelers 7-2 and make history by beating Hamburg Freezers 3-1 in the Champions Hockey League, but then lose 6-1 to Hull Stingrays and 5-1 to Fife Flyers, all on their own ice.

On Saturday, Fife, like Hull, played tremendously but the mood in the home dressing room afterwards suggested all concerned knew they should be delivering better even if fortune did not favour them.

Injuries certainly do not help the cause as they afflicted the team severely this weekend with British stars David Clarke and Steve Lee joining Craig Kowalski, Sam Oakford and Greg Jacina on the treatment table.

Lee featured against Fife but was unable to ice against a full strength and resurgent Cardiff side as it finished 5-2 to the Devils yesterday.

Against Fife, a second period collapse saw them concede four goals to go 5-0 down in front of a crowd which had probably expected the reverse considering Fife arrived woefully out of form.

Anyone who questioned the application of Corey Neilson's team afterwards would be wrong but they certainly need to find the consistent quality and results they are capable of to get right back on track in the title race having slipped to fifth of late. At Cardiff yesterday, they showed they have not thrown in the towel.

Panthers started well enough but fell behind to a Chris Culligan goal after 13.18.

Andrew Hotham made it two with 1.20 left in the first and then it was 3-0 after 23.17 through Jake Morissette despite the efforts of Mattias Modig, who recovered from being pulled the night before.

Panthers dug into their well of resolve and got one back through a Bruce Graham power play goal with Cardiff netminder Ben Bowns down on the ice.

Cody Wild then dragged Panthers right back into the game at 35.33 by making it 3-2. Max Parent hit the Cardiff pipes but Brent Walton made it 4-2 after 48.53.

Neilson pulled Modig in the final two minutes but it led to an empty net fifth for Tyson Marsh with 40 seconds left.There was still time for a line brawl with 14 seconds to go.

Panthers lost their sixth domestic home game of the season against Fife.

The Scots arrived in Nottingham having been shut out on their own ice the night before after a 5-0 loss to Cardiff.

That compounded a dreadful run of form which included a 7-2 defeat to the Panthers.

Only a Chris Lawrence consolation goal drew more cheers than a successful second interval marriage proposal of the season in the home section.

Fife belied their current form by taking the lead after 5.09 through Matt Nickerson. Flyers were on a power play when the puck was worked to their big enforcer and he wristed into the top corner.

Fife have endured their share of second period collapses this season, so it came as a shock when it was the Panthers who imploded.

Graham rattled the Fife bar 29 seconds after the restart but that was anything but a sign of things to come. Fife went two up after 23.39 when the puck was turned over cheaply and Bobby Chaumont rattled in a good finish.

Goal number three was all too easy as Nickerson floated a shot on net and Jordan Fulton redirected it neatly after 26.08. Ned Luckacevic got the fourth on 29.15 and there was a mix of shock and boos when goal number five went in.

This time Scott Fleming wristed a sharp shot past Modig, who was promptly replaced by back up Dan Green.

That goal came after 37.14 but Panthers had the tiniest slice of hope as Lawrence made it 5-1 23 seconds later, his 13th of the season an equally sharp finish.

As below par as Panthers were, Fife were good, especially netminder Kevin Regan, who made excellent saves from Evan Mosey, Graham, Wild and Chris Higgins. In fact it could have been worse for Nottingham if Matt Reber had scored a breakaway and Modig had not made fine saves from Lukacevic and Chaumont.

As expected, Panthers pressed in the third period, but Regan was up to the task on all 21 shots faced. The game did develop more of a physical edge with Nickerson knocking over Green.

Bryan Schmidt went after the imposing figure with both getting penalties for fighting. Seconds later Rob Farmer responded in kind by dumping Regan to the ice and then winning a fight with Jamie Milam, although it was ruled as roughing..

Peterborough Phantoms saw their game abandoned yesterday when former Panther Marc Levers was left bleeding from the head after falling from the ice. He was later able to skate off under his own steam for treatment.

LEADERS Bournemouth hit six past Blackpool to stay one point clear at the top.

The Cherries opened the scoring through Matt Ritchie (pictured) and Callum Wilson made it 2-0.

Ritchie curled in a third goal before Nathan Delfouneso tapped in for the hosts and Brett Pitman scored from the spot.

Late goals from Marc Pugh and Harry Arter ensured an easy Bournemouth win.

Ipswich Town went above Middlesbrough into second with a 2-0 victory over their promotion rivals.

Daryl Murphy's strike set the hosts on their way.

And Jay Tabb headed in Teddy Bishop's cross in first-half injury-time.

Steven Whittaker denied Derby victory as he struck late to earn Norwich a point in a 2-2 draw.

Chris Martin's penalty looked to have earned the Rams three points.

But they were denied when Whittaker netted.

Johnny Russell had given Derby the lead before Cameron Jerome levelled.

Results: Derby 2-2 Norwich, Blackburn 2-0 Charlton, Blackpool 1-6 Bournemouth, Cardiff 2-3 Brentford, Fulham 4-0 Sheff Wed, Huddersfield 0-1 Birmingham, Ipswich 2-0 Middlesbrough, Reading 0-1 Watford, Wigan 1-2 Rotherham, Wolves 1-1 Brighton, Nottm Forest 1-1 Leeds, Millwall 0-1 Bolton.

Aspley: Temporary lights on Bradfield Road until Tuesday, January 13.

Aspley: Temporary lights on the B6008 Bells Lane until Wednesday, January 14.

City centre: Temporary lights on North Circus Street until Wednesday, January 14.

Radford: Temporary signals on St Peter's Street at its junction with Brixton Road until tomorrow.

Wollaton: Temporary lights and road closures on the A609/A6514 Wollaton Road until Tuesday, December 30.

Kimberley: High Spannia and Holly Road, Watnall, closed between their junctions with Town View and The Elms from 9.30am on Monday, January 5, until 11.59pm on Friday, February 2.

Colwick: Temporary lights, narrow lanes, and a 30mph speed limit on the A612 Colwick Loop Road between its junction with Victoria Road, Netherfield, and Mile End Road, Colwick, from January 19 until August 28.

West Bridgford: George Road closed between its junctions with Melton Road and Musters Road from 1am on Monday, January 12 until 11.59pm on Friday, January 30.

Hucknall: Temporary lights on Salterford Road until Wednesday, January 14.

THERE'S a Christmas song Santa Claus is Coming to Town with the first line being, "you'd better watch out".

Well, I was in the city centre last Thursday and was 'jostled' three times in an hour.

One man somehow put his hand on my jacket pocket, even though my arm was over it. Another (almost gently) pushed into me, even though there was no other person within six feet. The third was a woman who pushed her child in front of me, then put her hand under my arm when I was distracted.

So, like the Christmas song, "you'd better watch out". I didn't lose anything, but you might not be so lucky.

ANNE WINFINDALE

Adbolton Grove

West Bridgford

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YOU ran a story recently covering the loss of mail by houses in a street that had a nasty dog, resulting in the postmen refusing to go down that street ('Terror dog scares off posties for four months', December 17).

I suggest that the Postman's Training Manual covers my experience with a nasty dog, and how to deal with one. In the 1950s I lived in Anlaby Road, Teddington, and by pure chance found out how to deal with a nasty dog.

I was walking along the pavement past houses that had lost their iron gates in WW2 because the country was short of iron, and it was needed for the war effort.

As I passed a non-existent gate, a medium-sized dog nipped out of the front garden of a house and nipped me on the ankle. It then nipped back into the garden from whence it came.

I saw red as I had done nothing to offend the beast, so I followed the dog into the garden, intending to give it a good hiding.

But as I reached towards Fido, it made to bite my fingers. I have never done it before or since, but I let the dog have my fingers together with the rest of my hand so that my fingers were down its throat.

Fido made all sorts of gurgling noises indicating that it wasn't happy as it couldn't breathe. I kept my fingers in place for about ten seconds; and that's a long time if you can't breathe.

When I finally pulled my hand away, I have never seen a dog move so fast.

In this long straight road it was out of sight in about the time I had had my fingers in its mouth.

COLIN CAMPBELL

Scalford Drive

Wollaton Park

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THE Crown Inn, Beeston, is reported to be under the cosh of Broxtowe Council planners over a marquee which covers part of their outside seating area ('Legal threat to listed pub', December 15).

I understand there are rules, but this structure has mainly open sides, and is hardly visible unless you are almost in the pub car park. The management run a decent pub, well patronised by decent people, and rarely do I hear of any bother.

They have turned the pub into a cracking destination, and the shelter is a boon in indifferent weather.

Perhaps customers would each consider writing in support of retaining the temporary 'structure'. This would be on the grounds that it does not detract from the general appearance of the conservation area, is not harmful, and is indeed helping to bring custom into Beeston centre.

SIMON WOODROFFE

Fulwood Close

Chilwell

A SHERWOOD Forest tree, standing tall on the banks of the River Trent – the Nottingham Forest club crest, used for more than 40 years, is a symbol of stoic resilience, of a pride in the history of the city.

There are few people who epitomise that mentality better than Stuart Pearce, a man who is almost as engrained in the history of Nottingham as Robin Hood and the river that runs through it.

Where Forest are concerned, perhaps only Brian Clough is held in higher esteem than the Londoner who, in the space of 12 years, made more than 400 appearances for the club, captaining Forest to a flurry of Wembley appearances as they consistently held their own among England's footballing elite.

Equally, there are few people who will know better what it means to play for this club or, more significantly, about the expectation that comes with pulling on the Garibaldi red.

But, as the former left-back continues to address the challenge that has left a long line of managers frustrated, as they worked to return the club to its former glories, his success or failure may depend on one thing – his ability to coax the same strength of character, the same determination and mental toughness that he and his generation possessed, into the current crop of Forest players.

They have proved they have the ability. The flying start made to the campaign was proof enough of that. But that is starting to feel like a long time ago. Now that burden of expectation is starting to weigh heavy on their shoulders.

Pearce, whose status at the club continues to buy him the patience of the majority of fans, labelled it nervousness. Flying winger Michail Antonio felt it was about having the courage to take risks; to gamble on playing the harder pass, rather than taking the easy option.

What is certain is that, had Forest been at their best, they would have made easy work of beating a Leeds side who were themselves lacking in ideas.

As it was, Forest should have emerged from the City Ground with a much needed three points, even without quite being on top form.

This was an improved display. It was one that not only carved out a flurry of good chances for Forest, but also what should have been a hat-trick for Matty Fryatt. Three times the striker found the back of the net. But he was twice denied by incorrect offside decisions.

The striker was dignified in his reaction after the game, insisting it was just one of those things. But it was still hard to escape the notion that Forest had been robbed of victory not by their own shortcomings, but by those of the match officials, who contrived to get two massive decisions badly wrong.

Still, it also required some outstanding work from Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri to deny Forest all three points, as they piled on the pressure in the second half.

The first period had seen Forest rely too much on the direct approach, looking to pick out striker Dexter Blackstock with long balls, before he limped off with an injury, just before the break.

Although, by the same token, it was a fine, raking 50-yard ball from Eric Lichaj that was the catalyst for what should have been Forest's first goal, as he picked out Antonio on the left, where the wing-back twice looked to deliver crosses before, at the third attempt, cutting onto his right foot and firing in a low ball that Fryatt diverted into the back of the net. Sam Byram was playing the striker onside, but the flag still went up.

Forest did take the lead in first-half injury time as a firm downward header from Michael Mancienne was prodded home, from a yard out, by the alert Fryatt who, understandably, glanced towards the assistant referee with some trepidation, to see if his flag was raised once more.

A clumsy challenge from Danny Fox, on Byram, handed Billy Sharp the chance to fire Leeds level from the penalty spot, which he took emphatically, rifling a powerful shot right down the centre of goal, beyond Karl Darlow, eight minutes into the second half.

Still Forest piled on the pressure, as they produced a more energetic, creative second half display. Robert Tesche saw a low shot well saved and a much improved Henri Lansbury saw Silvestri make an even better one, when his shot was seemingly bound for the top corner.

Antonio, who was again Forest's most dangerous player, was twice denied by the Leeds keeper, who pushed away his spectacular, driven effort from range and then, later, showed his reactions again, to kick away his goal-bound header.

When Silvestri was beaten again, it should have been enough to secure victory, with Fryatt delivering the ball high into the net, following a perfect flick from Tesche, before the assistant referee intervened yet again, with an inaccurate offside flag.

Instead of the three points they had deserved, Forest were left with only one and, more tellingly, with a seven-point gap between themselves and the play-off places.

A run of two wins in 15 Championship matches is not promotion form. Quite the opposite. And a difficult trip to Middlesbrough on Boxing Day does not look like the kind of fixture that will offer immediate respite from the current frustration.

But, if Forest are looking for a source of optimism, they should find it in the fact that they are capable of more. As Pearce admitted, Forest are currently under-par; they are not performing to their best.

They were better against Leeds. More than that, their improvement should have been enough to earn victory. It deserved as much.

But they will be need to be better again at the Riverside, against a Middlesbrough team who will want to bounce back from defeat at Ipswich and haul themselves back into the automatic promotion places.

As odd as it might sound, Forest might actually benefit from being away from home. On current form, few will expect Pearce's side to return from the north-east with three points. There will be less expectation on their shoulders; the burden of pressure will be smaller.

A victory in Middlesbrough might even address those nerves and bolster the flagging confidence of the side.

It is still far too early to talk about change. The revolving door on the manager's office cannot keep spinning, if Forest are to find the stability and consistency they crave.

But, if Pearce is to be the man who ensures that hugely famous Forest badge is to again find a home in the Premier League, then his biggest task is to make his players believe they are capable of making it happen.

FORMER chancellor Ken Clarke has warned that there is a "real risk" of a UK exit from the European Union.

Speaking to the BBC Mr Clarke – who also represents Rushcliffe in parliament – said pro-Europeans need to organise themselves to defeat "silly" arguments for leaving the union.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said he will look to change the terms of the UK's membership of the union before offering the public a referendum on Britain's future in the EU by 2017, if he wins at the next general election.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Mr Clarke said: "We would diminish this country if we had a silly debate about Europe.

"Influence matters because a government has got to influence affairs in the greater world in order to look after the interests of its citizens. Pro-Europeans have got to organise themselves properly."

THE Island site just outside Nottingham city centre isn't just an eyesore. It's an embarrassment.

The failure to make progress with a £900m redevelopment plan during a property boom sent out all the wrong signals about Nottingham's ability to attract major commercial investment.

Eastside was meant to be an architect-designed flagship commercial quarter which would extend the city centre. To this day, it's still dominated by overgrown land and a derelict warehouse.

Hindsight tells us three things. That the £900m project was probably over-ambitious, that its timing was wrong (the property market was struggling even in 2006), and that dreamy artist's impressions are a dangerous place to go unless you've got a deal in place.

Council chiefs have acknowledged that Nottingham didn't bat well during the boom. At a time when money was pouring into property, two of the city's key regeneration zones chalked up ducks. Waterside, which abuts the Trent opposite the City Ground, was meant to be a new riverside community. Beyond a privately-funded apartment complex for the wealthy, nothing was built. And the closest Eastside came to seeing bricks being laid was a rejected proposal for a Tesco supermarket.

Why did the boom pass Nottingham by? One reason might be that the political focus in the city council was dominated by gun crime, drink-related anti-social behaviour in the city centre, and serious under-achievement in schools.

These were big issues . While gun crime and binge drinking have largely been brought under control, the long slog of raising the game in city schools continues.

But Nottingham can't afford to let another boom pass by in the night. And there is an increasing realisation that many of the social problems that preoccupy councillors will be solved only by long-term economic growth. The news last week that the city council is considering taking Eastside away from its owners and driving development itself is recognition of that fact.

While politicians argue about recession, it is now history. As far as business is concerned, we are now into a new economic cycle, and in that phase when money is looking for attractive places to go.

Strong cities with growing economies are an obvious home and there is much that Nottingham can shout about. The Eastside site sits cheek by jowl with BioCity, one of the biggest concentrations of lifesciences business talent in the UK. There's also the prospect that a redeveloped Eastside might just reach out and touch Waterside, regenerating a vast swathe of the city.

Development is better tackled bit by bit. It's almost certain to take time, however frustrating that might be.

But neither Eastside nor Nottingham can afford another tumbleweed moment.

Q What are you hoping to get for Christmas?

A All I want for Christmas is my living room back. We are hoping that the building work will be completed in time for Christmas but at the moment it's a close-run thing. Even if we don't have the windows sorted, just planks over them, it would still be nice to move out of the kitchen.

Q How are you planning to spend Christmas Day?

A Very quietly this year – it will be the first year my mum isn't with us. We – me, my husband, my little girl, oldest daughter and grandchildren – have planned to take a walk to their grandmothers' plots.

Q If you had to plan a festive night in town where would you go?

A I'm going to sound boring because I don't go out very much into town but I really like Edin's because it's nice and relaxing or the Alley Café for its freshness.

Q What does Christmas mean to you?

A On Christmas morning Foodshare will be visiting Edwalton Primary School to pick some potatoes to take to Christmas dinner organised by Wellin Community Church for people who would otherwise be on their own. These events are happening all over the county.

Rachel Gorman

1. Panto: BBC Four is screening city-based director Jeanie Finlay's documentary about the magic of pantomime, filmed at Nottingham Arts Theatre, at 9.25pm.

2. Family Carol Concert: Nottingham Harmonic Choir are joined by the Thoresby Colliery Band at the Royal Concert Hall tonight from 7pm for a second festive show.

3. It's A Wonderful Life (U): An angel helps a suicidal George Bailey by showing him what life would have been like if he'd not existed. Broadway, 12.30pm/5.15pm.

4. Acoustic Rooms: A Christmas special at the Rescue Rooms that has previously featured Jake Bugg, George Ezra, Saint Raymond, Kodaline, Ronika and others, from 8pm.

5. Sleeping Beauty: Two chances to see Nottingham Playhouse's acclaimed panto today at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. "A brilliant, witty script... injecting plenty of local references."

6. What We Do In the Shadows (15): If you're not feeling at all festive, Broadway is showing this New Zealand vampire comedy mockumentary at 8.45pm.

Arboretum: Stephen Occleshaw, 49, of Waterloo Crescent, pleaded guilty to stealing cheese and a packet of KitKats, worth £7, from Coop, Broxtowe Lane, Nottingham, on August 28. Magistrates conditionally discharged him for 12 months and ordered he pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Edwalton: Ian Partridge, 61, of Ashridge Way, has been conditionally discharged for 12 months. Magistrates heard he admitted causing criminal damage to an offside wing mirror of a Mercedes in London Road, on March 19. Partridge must pay £250 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge.

Wollaton: Clovis Prates, 41, of Heckington Drive, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman on October 21. Magistrates bailed him to attend sentencing on January 6.

Netherfield: Brendan Clarke, 27, of Hodgkinson Street, denied assaulting a policeman in Sneinton on October 19. Magistrates bailed him until his trial on April 29 next year.

West Bridgford: Jack Layton, 27, of Church Lane, Long Bennington, Newark, pleaded guilty to driving and using a hand-held mobile phone. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he used the phone on Lady Bay Bridge at 1.15pm on March 10. JPs fined him £45 and ordered he pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £40. Three penalty points will be added to his licence.

Hucknall: Sean Moran, 34, of Laughton Crescent, has been fined £80 for possessing cannabis in Nottingham on October 14. Magistrates heard Moran pleaded guilty and ordered he pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85. The cannabis will be destroyed.

A CHRISTMAS Day workforce in Nottingham is preparing to leave loved ones at home this week to serve their communities.

While most people are unwrapping presents, tucking into a turkey dinner and having one drink too many on Christmas Day, a host of unsung heroes will be hard at work.

Whether it's waiting on tables, driving taxis or delivering emergency care, they are all needed to ensure others have a happy and safe day.

Lauren Fox will be the reassuring voice at the end of the telephone for anyone who dials 999 for an ambulance between 7pm on Christmas Day and 7am Boxing Day morning. Lauren, 21, from Stapleford, is a call-handler for the East Midlands Ambulance Service. She said: "It gets really busy, but we have a vital job to do.

"Our team are hoping to do a bit of a buffet and take turns to have some food."

Rachel Milgate could also find herself saving lives on Christmas Day for 12 hours from 7am.

The deputy sister on the Queen's Medical Centre's Adult Intensive Care Unit said: "It's nice to feel that you are making a bit of a difference while everyone else is at home having a nice time. I tend to have Christmas a different day, just to have a proper day with my family. But on the ward we try to create a festive spirit and it's important for morale."

Firefighter Chris Emmott and his team at Highfields Fire Station will be sitting down to a Christmas dinner at work, knowing they could be called out at any minute.

Mr Emmott, who has been in the job since 2008, said: "Working on Christmas Day is something that is needed. I used to be in the army so I am used to working over Christmas.

"It's become a little more difficult as I have two young children now, so it will be hard, but people can be vulnerable over Christmas and need help. We will all try and sit down and have a Christmas dinner, if there's time."

Many people will be facing a lonely Christmas having recently had an accident and will need help during the day. For some of those people, Helen Butler will be on hand.

Mrs Butler, a reablement support worker for Nottinghamshire County Council, will be on duty helping the elderly cope in their own homes.

She said: "It's a rewarding job. It's a vulnerable time for them and they need the support that we can offer them.

"I have worked Christmas Day before, I don't mind, it's all part of the service.

"This job is so nice I am very, very lucky."

Paul Pritchard will ensure that people who need to travel on Christmas Day have a car.

The call handler at Nottingham Cars has been in the job for 15 years and covers Christmas Day every year.

Mr Pritchard, said: "We're open 24 hours and we never close. I can't let the manager down so I do my shift."